That’s everything from stray and abandoned animals to dealing with cruelty or neglect, as well as supporting improved animal welfare around the region.

There’s a rescue team and a transportation team.

“These folks are so essential, providing necessary transportation from Tofino and Ucluelet to Port Alberni. And we have a great foster network, which we’re looking to grow. Foster homes provide temporary care for dogs and cats that need to be housed from 1-3 nights on average,” she said.

They also improve access to spay/neuter and other essential

medical services, providing reduced cost operations for petowners who need it as long as there are funds available, and help support other organizations that come in to do spay/neuter clinics in remote communities.

“Spay/neuter is such an important part of addressing animal health … it’s such a lifesaver,” Unger said, citing that unneutered cats and their offspring can produce hundreds of thousands of kittens.

“It gets out of control if spay and neuter isn’t made a priority,” she said.

CARE Network can be reached at 250-266-9663. Find them on Facebook under Care Network SPCA and Paws for a Cause.